Charities supporting women and girls are invited to apply for a share of £15 million.

Charities supporting women and girls have been invited to apply for a share of a £15 million funding pot.

The money is being made available from the Tampon Tax Fund, raised through VAT on women’s sanitary products. This tax will come to an end in January 2021, following the UK’s exit from the European Union and the proposed legislation in Scotland that will make sanitary products free.

Charities can apply for grants to fund projects which directly benefit disadvantaged women and girls, tackle violence and support mental health and wellbeing.

As in previous years, larger charities and foundations will be able to apply for grants of £1 million or more, which can then be distributed through their networks to support women and girls and to organisations that offer small and medium- sized onward grants.

In addition, this year applicants are able to use part of their grant funding to improve organisational sustainability.

The UK Government’s minister for civil society, Baroness Barran, said: “I am delighted that over the life of the Tampon Tax Fund we have been able to provide £62 million worth of grants to more than 70 charities working to help disadvantaged women and girls.

“I urge charities to bid for this funding that will not only continue to support women most in need, but help organisations to become more sustainable so they can plan for the future.”

Applicants should be able to demonstrate they can deliver impacts in their chosen category across multiple regions in Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Grants can be for projects lasting one or two years, and all activities must be concluded and funds spent by 30 June 2022. The deadline for applications is 31 May 2020.

More information on how to apply can be found on the UK Government website.